Heartbreak after ashes stolen in burglary

Greg Farrimond

A pensioner was left devastated after a box with a loved one’s ashes in was stolen in a burglary.

Police have today launched a public appeal following the incident last week.

Between 1.45pm and 4.45pm on Tuesday February 16 a house on Upholland Road, Billinge, was broken into. When the 68-year-old woman later returned home she found that a number of items had been stolen, including jewellery and a small round mother-of-pearl box containing ashes.

Police Constable Craig Harrison of Wigan division said: “The victim returned home to find her house had been burgled, and was devastated to discover that a box containing the ashes of someone very special to her had also been taken.

“I would like to reunite the victim with her possessions and I would urge anyone who is offered jewellery in the area, in particularly a very small mother-of pearl box, to contact police.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.